Dispensing cabinet



, Mardi l2, 1940- c. E. KIRcH 2,193,334

' DISPENSING BINET Filed June 14, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I l A@ i gl i l |NvENToR l 2.7 [9 71 Char/E6 E. /rch ATTO R N EY Patented Mar. 12, 1946 ArENT oFFicE msPENslNG CABINET charles E. Kirch, Buffalo, N. Y.

Application June 14, 1937, Serial No. 148,144

19 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in cabinets for dispensing paper towels and similar articles.

The principal object of the invention is to reduce waste by discouraging wanton withdrawal of the towels, this object contemplating a cab inet in which provision is made for insuring a delay between the withdrawal of successive towels.

A further object is a dispensing cabinet in which provision is made for preventing the accidental withdrawal of two or more towels at a time.

A still further object is a novel design and arrangement of the parts of the cabinet whereby simplicity and economy in construction are obtained.

I'he invention is illustrated in the accompanyl Figure 3 is a horizontal section `taken along line 3 3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a section through the clockwork of the automatic release mechanism and is taken along line 4-4 of Figure 3.

`Figure 5 is a fragmentary section taken along line 5`5 of of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a section taken along the same line as Figure 2, showing the parts in the positions which they assume during the withdrawal of a towel.`

Figure 7 is a fragmentary section taken along line 'I--l of Figure 1 showing the parts in the same positions in which they are shown in Figure 6.

Figures 8 and 9 are similar sections, the `former showing a towel partially withdrawn while` (Cl. S12-60) ably secured to the back section 9 and which are spaced inwardly with respect to forwardly directed anges I5 formed upon said section, the side walls I2 and I3 terminating just short'of the front wall of the cover section. The towels are supported upon inclined plates I6 and Il (Figure '7) the former being arranged beneathA the forward edges of the towels while the latter is arranged at a, slightly lower elevation beneath the rearmost edges of the towels. The cover secf tion is pivotally connected to the back section by rivets I8 in order to provide access to the magazine, a lock 23 preferably being employed 'toglock the co-ver section in its closed position. rIhe opening movement /of the cover section is limited by guidepinsZ l which are carried by theside walls of the said section and which traverse arcuate slots 22 (Figure 2) formed in the ilanges of the back section. The opening through which the towels i are withdrawn from the cabinet is indicated at 23.` It is formed in the front wall of the cover section, being located below the magazine `I i and being dened by the lower marginal edge 2li of the said front wall and the forward edge ofthe bottom wan 25. Preferably the latter is cut awayas indicated at 26 to facilitate grasping the leading ends of the towels.

When they are arranged in the magazine I I the leading end 2'! of the lowermost towel is passed behind a rod 28 (Figure 7) and then inserted between a pair of rods 29 and to, the said rodsbeing arranged in parallel relation and eX- tending transversely of the cabinet. The rod 23 is carried by a pair of depending arms 3l and 32 which are located at opposite sides of the magazine, the former being mounted for pivotal movement upon a pin 33 which is carried by the wall I2 while the latter is similarly mounted upon a pin 34 which is carried by the wall I3. The rods 29 and 3G are carried by a pair of depending arms 35 and 36 which are likewise located at opposite sides oi the magazine II, the arm 35 being mounted for pivotal movement upon the pin 33 while the arm 3B is similarly mounted upon the pin 34. A spring`3'l which is connected at one end to the wall I3 andat its opposite end tothe arm 32 normally holds the arms SI and 32 in positions in which therod 28 is located in the fold connecting the two lowermost sections of the leading towel as best shown in Figures 7 and 9'. The arms 35 and 36, on `the other hand, normally occupy positions in which the rod 39 holds the leading end of the lowermost towel so that it is visible and Laccessible through the opening 23.

' It will be apparent, therefore, that when the parts occupy the positions shown in Figure 2 the leading' end of the lowermost towel may be grasped and pulled to withdraw the said towel from the cabinet, the to-wel passing behind the rod 28 and between the rods 29 and 3G. As the towel is withdrawn its upper two sections and the leading end of the succeeding towel form a bulge 38 (Figure 8) in front or the rod 28. The resistance thus provided by the said bulge causes the rod 2t to move forwardly against the action of .the spring 3l. rThis movement of the rod is transmitted to the arms 35 and 36, and hence the rods "iii and 3c, by a projection 39 which is carried by the arm 32 and which is engageable with the arm 36, the arms 35 and 36 being moved toward the iront wall ci the cabinet to carry the rod to a position in which it holds the leading end of the succeeding towel so that it is inaccessible through the opening 23. As the arms 35 and 36 approach the limit of such forward movement a projection @il on the arm 3S moves under and is engaged by a latch 4l which is pivotally mounted upon the wall I3, thereby latching the said arms in such position. During withdrawal of the towel in the manner described the bulge 38 which is formed in iront of the rod 28 is progressively reduced in size, The said rod remains inthe position shown in Figure 8 until the bulge is dissipated to a degree which will permit it to return to its original position under the influence oi the spring 37|', the said rod entering `the fold provided by the two lower sections of the succeeding towel as it returns tol such position. The return movement of the rod 28 takes place while the arms 35 and 35 are latched at the forward limit or" their range of movement and as the fold of the succeeding towel is advanced to the position originally occupied by the corresponding fold of the lowermost towel. Hence, during the nnal part of the withdrawal movement of the latter towel the rod 28 engages the fold'of the succeeding towel to prevent it -from being withdrawn from the cabinet or from being moved beyond the position originally occupied by the lowermost towel.

Means is provided for automatically effecting the release oi the arms 35 and iii aiter a predetermined interval in order to permit them to re` turn by gravity to their original positions, 'thereby to move the leading end of the succeeding towel so that it is visible and accessible through the opening The said means includes a link 42, the lowerend of which carries a lateral projection itc which is located in an elongated slot 43 formed in the tail-piece it of the arm 32. The upper end of the link i2 is connected to an arm le which is actuated by clockwork dii. The said clockwork is mounted upon the wall i3 and includes a stationary main shaft 47 and a train of gears 38, d', 5d, 5l, 52 and 53 (Figure 4.-), the arm 45 being pivotally connected at its inner end to the shaft il and being suitably connected intermediate its ends to the gear 48. The said gears are actuated by a spring 54, one end of which is connected to the shaft il and the other end .of which is connected to a casing 55 which is mounted upon the gear de.

The parts are so designed that when the arms 35 and occupy their normal positions the projection 42a of the link t2 is located in the vicinity ci the bottom of the slot '53 as best shown in Figure 2. Hence as the lowermost towel is vwithdrawn and the rod 28 is moved forward in the manner described the movement of the arm 32 is transmitted to the link 42, thereby to move the said link upward. The clockwise movement thus imparted to the arm i5 and hence the gear 48, of the clockwork winds the spring 54, it being noted that as the bulge 38 of the towel releases the rod 28 and permits the arms 3| and 32 to return to their normal positions the tail-piece 44 moves downward relatively to the link 42, thereby positioning the projection 42a in the vicinity of the upper end of the slot 43. Upon release of the projection 42a, however, the spring 54 automatically starts to unwind to return the link 42 to its normal position. This action of the spring 5d is delayed by the gears 48, 129, 5E, 5l, 52 and 53 and an associated escapement 5S, the parts being so designed that a predetermined interval must elapse before the link 42 returns to its normal position. As the said link approaches this position the projection 42a engages a tail-piece i'l of the latch 4I and pivots the latter against the action of a spring 58 to release the projection 40 and permit the arms 35 and 36 to return to their normal positions, the rod 3c directing the leading end of the lowermost towel to the position shown in Figure 2 during such movement. In order to enable a towel to be withdrawn as rapidly as desired a clutch is employed to render the escapement 5t inoperative during winding movements of the spring 54, the said clutch consisting of a ratchet 59 which is carried by the gear 50 and which is held in engagement with the gear it by a spring Sil. During winding movements of the spring 54 the ratchet 59 permits the gear :te which is loosely mounted on its shaft to rotate freely on said shaft. However, during unwinding movements of the spring 54 the said ratchet locks the gears it and 56 against relative angular movement.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that the leading end of the lowermost towel in the magaaine is normally visible andl may be readily grasped and pulled to withdraw the towel from the cabinet. The movement of the towel as it is withdrawn is utilized to move the rods 29 and 3i? to positions in which they will hold the leading end of the succeeding towel so that it is inaccessible through the opening 23. The movement of the towel as it is withdrawn is also utilized to wind the spring of the clockwork 46, the latter being operative automatically to release the arms 35 and 3B after a predetermined interval and permit them tomove the leading end of the succeeding, towel to a position in which it is visible and accessible through the opening 23. The construction described has the advantage that after one towel has been withdrawn the succeeding towel 'cannot be 'withdrawn until the clockwork permits the leading end of the latter to be moved to an accessible position. V/anton and wasteful withdrawal of the towels is, therefore, prevented, it being understood, of course, that the towels which are employed are preferably of a size and material which will render a single towel adequate for ordinary purposes.

In the event that it is desired to render the lowermost towel immediately accessible this may be accomplished by depressing a button 6l. The stem 63 of the latter is mounted for axial movement in a lug 62 which is carried by the front wall of the cabinet and terminates in the vicinity oi an extension 64 of the latch 4l when the latter engages the projection 4B as shown in Figure 6. Upon operation of the button l the latch il is pivoted against the action of the spring 58 to release the projection ill and permit the arms 35 and 36 to return immediately to their normal position. In this connection it is to be understood that the manual means for effecting the release of the latch 4l may be employed if desired independently of the automatic release mechanism. In such case it is understood, of course, that the leading end of the lowermost towel will normally occupy a position in which it is inaccessible through the opening 23. When it is desired, therefore, to withdraw a towel from the cabinet the button 6l isl depressed to effect the release of the arms 35 and 36 in the manner described. Asthe towel thus rendered accessible is withdrawn the arms 35 and 36 are again moved to positions in which the leading end of the succeeding towel will be held so as to be inaccessible. The utilization of the manual release mechanism in the manner described has to some degree the same advantages as the automatic release mechanism, the necessity of operating the button 6l to effect the withdrawal of each towel tending to discourage the withdrawal of more towels than may be necessary.

I claim as my invention:

l. A` cabinet for dispensing individual paper towels of the kind which are folded and arranged in such a manner that as a towel is withdrawn from the cabinet a second towel is advanced to `the position originally occupied by it, said cabinet having an opening through which said towels are withdrawn, means which is moved by a towel as it is withdrawn to a position in which it holds the leading end of said second towel so that it is inaccessible through said opening, means for holding said first named means in such position and means for actuating said last named means, whereby to effect movement of said rst named means to a position in which it holds the leading end of said second towel so that it is accessible through said opening. l

2. A cabinet for dispensing individual paper towels of the kind which are arranged and folded in such a manner that as a. towel is withdrawn from the cabinet a second towel is advanced to the position originally occupied by it, said cabinet having an opening through which said towels are withdrawn, means which is moved by a towel as it is withdrawn to a position in which it holds the leading end of said second towel so that it is inaccessible through said opening, means for latching said last named means in such position and means for releasing said latching means, wherebyto permit said rst named means to return to its original position to move the leading end of said second towel so that it is accessible through said opening. l

3. A cabinet of the character described havin an opening through which the articles to be dispensed are withdrawn and through which access may be normally had to the leading article, means which is moved by said article as it is withdrawn to a position in which it holds the succeeding arl ticle so that it is inaccessible through said opening, means for holding said rst named means in such position and means which is automatically operative after a predetermined interval for eiecting the release of said last named means, whereby to move said succeeding article to a position in which it is accessible through said openi. A cabinet for dispensing toweling, said cabinet having an opening through which said toweling is withdrawn and through which access may be normally had to the leading end of said toweling, means which is moved by said toweling as a piece of it is withdrawn to a position in which it holds the new leading end of said toweling so that it is inaccessible through said opening, means for holdingsaid first named means in such positions and means which is automatically` operative after a predetermined interval for efecting the release of said last named means, whereby to move said first named means to a position in which it holds the new leading end of said toweling so that it is accessible through said opening.

5. A cabinet for dispensing toweling, said cabinet having an opening through which said toweling is withdrawn, means for holding the leading end of said toweling so that it is accessible through said opening, means which is operative as a piece of said toweling is withdrawn to move said first named means to a position in which it holds the new leading end `of said towelingso that itl is inaccessible through said opening, means for latching said first named means in such position and means which is automatically operative after a predetermined interval for effecting the release of said latching means, whereb-y to move said iirst named means to a position in which it holds the new leading end of said toweling` so that `it is accessible `through said opening. l i

6. A cabinet fordispensing tcweling, said ycabinet having an opening through which said toweling is withdrawn and through which access may be had to the leading end of said toweling, means which is movable as a piece of said toweling is withdrawn to a position in which it holds the new leading end of said toweling so that it is inaccessible through said opening, means for holding said first named means 4in such position `and clockwork for automatically releasing said last named means after a predetermined interval,

whereby to move the new leading end of said toweling to a position in which it is accessible through said opening. l

'7. A cabinet for dispensing toweling, said cabinet having an opening through `which said 'toweling is withdrawn, means for holding the leading end of said toweling so that it is accessible through said opening, means which is operative as a piece of said toweling iswithdrawn to move said last named means to a position in which it holds the new leading end of `said toweling so that it is inaccessible through said opening and clockwork for automatically eiiecting the return of said last named means to its original position after a predetermined interval, whereby to move the new leading end of said toweling to a position in which it is accessible through said opening.

8. A cabinet for dispensing individual paper towels of the kind which are folded and arranged in such a manner that as a towel is withdrawn from the cabinet a second towel is advanced to the position originally occupied by it, said cabinet having an opening through which the towels are withdrawn and through which access may be had to the leading end of the first towel, means which is movable as said first towel is withdrawn to a position in which it holds the leading end of said second towel so that it is inaccessible through said opening, means for holding said first named means in such position and means for actuating said last named means after a predetermined interval, whereby to move the leading end of said second towel to a position in which it is accessible through said opening.

9. A cabinet for dispensing individual paper towels of the kind which are folded and arranged in such a manner that as a towel is withdrawn from the cabinet a second towel is advanced to the position` originally occupied by it, said cabinet having an opening through which the towels are withdrawn, means for holding the leading end ot the iirst towel so that it is accessible through said opening, means which is operative as a towel is withdrawn to move said last named means to a position in which it holds the leading end of said second towel so that it is inaccessible through said opening and clockwork for eitecting the return of said last namedl means to its original, position after a predetermined interval, whereby to move the leading end of said second towel to a position in which it is accessible through said opening.

10. A cabinet for dispensing paper towels of the kind which are folded and arranged in such a manner that as a towel is withdrawn from the cabinet a second towel is advanced to the position originally occupied by it, said cabinet having an opening through which the towels are withdrawn, a member which is engageable with the leading end of the first towel to hold it in a position in which it is accessible through said opening, said towel being operative as it is withdrawn to move said member to a second position in which it holds the leading end of said second towel so that it is inaccessible through said opening, means for latching said member in said second position, and means for automatically releasing said latching means after a predetermined interval to permit said member to move the leading` of said second towel to a position in which is accessible through said opening.

1l. A cabinet for dispensing toweling, said cabinet having an opening through which said towelmay be withdrawn, a pair of rods between which said toweling passes, said toweling being operative as a piece of it is withdrawn to move said rods to a position in which they hold the new leading end of said toweling so that it is inaccessible through said opening, mea-ns for holding said rods in such positions and means for actuating said last named means, whereby to return said rods to their original positions after a predetermined interval so .as to move the new leading end or" said toweling to an accessible position.

12. A cabinet for dispensing toweling, said cabinet having an opening through which said toweling may be withdrawn, a pair oi rods between which said toweling passes, pivotally mounted arms which carry said rods, said toweling being operative as a piece of it is withdrawn to move said arms to positions in which said rods hold the new ieading end of said toweling so that it is inaccessible through said opening, means for latching said arms in said positions and means which is operative after a predetermined interval for releasing said latching means to permitv said arms to return to their normal positions and thereby move the new leading end of said toweling so that it is accessible through said opening.

13. A cabinet for dispensing paper towels of the kind which are doubled and folded to provide accordion sections, the leading end of each towel (with the exception of the iirst) being arranged between the trailing ends of the preceding towel so that as a towel is withdrawn from the cabinet the succeeding towel will be advanced to the position originally occupied by it, said cabinet having an opening through which the towels are withdrawn and through which access may be had to tlie'leading towel, guide means through which said towels pass, a member around which said towels pass, said member being arranged in a fold of said rst towel, resilient means for normally holding said member in such position, said member being moved forward by said rst towel against the action of said resilient means during withdrawal of the initial part of said rst towel and returning to its original position under the influence of said resilient means during the withdrawal of the remainder of said first towel to enter a fold of the succeeding towel and prevent the latter from being withdrawn from said cabinet by said rst towel, said member being operative as it is moved forward as described to move said guide means to a position in which the leading end` of the succeeding towel is held so that it is inaccessible through said opening, means for holding said guide means in such position and means which is operative automatically after a predetermined interval for releasing said last named means, whereby to move said guide means to position the leading end of said succeeding towel so that it is accessible through said opening.

14. A cabinet for dispensing paper towels of the kind which are doubled and folded to provide accordion sections, the leading end of each towel (with the exception of the irst) being arranged between the trailing ends of the preceding towel so that as a towel is withdrawn from the cabinet the succeeding towel will be advanced to the position originally occupied by it, said cabinet having an opening through which the towels are withdrawn, a pair of rods between which said towels pass, a member around which said towels pass, said member being arranged in a. fold' of said first towel, resilient means for normally holding said member in such position, said member being moved forward by said rst towel against the action of said resilient means during withdrawal of the initial part of said first towel and returning to its original position under the influence of said resilient means during the withdrawal of the remainder of said rst towel to enter a fold of the succeeding towel and prevent the latter from being withdrawn from said cabinet by said rst towel, said member being operative as it is moved forward as described to move said rods to positions in which they hold the leading end of the succeeding towel so that it is inaccessible through said opening, means for holding said rods in such positions and means which is operative automatically after a predetermined interval for eiiecting the release of said last named means, whereby to move said rods to position the leading end of said succeeding towel so that it is accessible through said opening.

15. A cabinet for dispensing paper towels of thekind. which are doubled and folded to provide accordion sections, the leading end of each towel (with the exception of the rst) being arranged between the trailing ends of the preceding towel so that as a towel is withdrawn from the cabinet the succeeding towel will be advanced to the position originally occupied by it, said cabinet having anV opening through which the towels are withdrawn, a pair ol rods between which said towels pass, pivotally mounted arms which carry said rods, a. third rod behind which said towels pass, pivotally mounted arms for carrying said third rod, said third rod being arranged in a fold of said. first towel, resilient means for normally holding said third rod in such position, said third rod being movedforward by said iirst towel against the actionl of said resilient means during withdrawal of the initial part of said first towel and returning to its original position under the inuence of said resilient means during the withdrawal of the remainder of said irst towel to enter a :fold of the succeeding towel and prevent the latter from being withdrawn from said cabinet by said first towel, said last named arms being operative as said third rod is moved forward as described to move said first named arms to positions in which said first named rods hold the leading end of the succeeding towel so that it is inaccessible through said opening, means for latching said rst named arms in such positions and means which is operative automatically after a predetermined interval to release said latching means and permit said first named arms to return to their original positions, whereby to move the leading end of the succeeding towel so that it is accessible through said opening.

16. A cabinet for dispensing paper towels of the kind which are doubled and folded to provide accordion sections, the leading end of each towel (with the exception of the first) being arranged between the trailing ends of the preceding towel so that asa towel is `withdrawn from the cabinet the succeeding towel will be advanced to the position originally occupied by it, said cabinet having an opening through which the towels are withdrawn, a member around which said towels pass, said member being arranged in a fold of said rst towel and resilient means for normally holding said member in such position, said member being moved forward by said iirst towel against the action of said resilient means during withdrawal of the initial part of said rst towel and returning to its original position under the inuence of said resilient means during `withdrawal of the remainder of said rst towel to enter a fold of the succeeding towel and prevent it from being withdrawn from saidv cabinet by said iirst towel.

17. A cabinet for dispensing paper towels of the kind which are doubled and folded to provide accordion sections, the leading end of each towel (with the exception of the rst) being arranged between the trailing ends of the preceding towel so that as a towel is withdrawn from the cabinet the succeeding towel will be advanced to the position originally occupied by it, said cabinet having an opening through which the towels are withdrawn, a rod around which said towels pass, pivotally mounted arms which carry said rod and resilient means for normally holding said arms so that said rod is arranged in a fold of said first towel, said rod being moved forward by said first towel against the action of said resilientmeans during withdrawal o1' the initial part of said first towel and returning to its original position under the influence of said resilient means during withdrawal of the remainder of said rst towel to enter the fold of the succeeding towel and prevent it from being withdrawn from said cabinet by said first towel.

18. A cabinet for dispensing individual paper towels of the kind which are folded and arranged in such a manner that as a towel is withdrawn from the cabinet a second towel is advanced to the position originally occupied by it, said cabinet having an opening through which Ithe towels are withdrawn and in which the leading end of the rst towel is accessible, a member around which said towels pass, said member` being arranged in a fold of said rst towel, means ior normally holding said member in said position, said first towel moving said member forward as it is withdrawn, said member being returned to its original position by said means to enter a fold oi' the succeeding towel and prevent it from being withdrawn from said cabinet by said rst towel, means actuated by said member as it moves forward to position the leading end of the second towel so that it is inaccessible through said opening and means which is autoi matically operative after a predetermined interval to move the leading end of said second towel to an accessible position.

19. A cabinet for dispensing individual paper towels of the kind which are folded and arranged in such a manner that as a towel is withdrawn from the cabinet a second towel is advanced to the position originally occupied byit, said cabinet having an opening through which the towels are withdrawn and in which the leading end of the first towel is accessible, a member around which said towels pass, said member being arranged in a fold of said rst towel, means for normally holding said `member in said position, said first towel moving said member forward as it is withdrawn, said member being returned to its original position by said means to enter a fold of the succeeding towel and prevent it from being withdrawn from said cabinet by said first towel, means actuated by said member as it moves forward to position the leading end of the second towel so that it is inaccessible through said opening and clockwork which is automatically operative after a predetermined interval to actuate said last named means to effect movement of the leading end of said second towel to an accessible position, said member being operative to wind said clockwork during its forward movements.

CHARLES E. KIRCI-I. 

